URM 2010-2011 Application Cycle Forum

[ArchRoark]

In at Texas via voicemail.

Congrats. But we both know you won't be going

[Thirteen]

In at Texas via voicemail.

Congrats!!! Austin is a great city. I'm sure you'll be heading somewhere better, but consider visiting during one of the ASD's.

[rundoxierun]

In at Texas via voicemail.

Congrats!!! Austin is a great city. I'm sure you'll be heading somewhere better, but consider visiting during one of the ASD's.

They said they will be offering me a full scholly so there is a very good chance I will be visiting.

[LAWLAW09]

How'd it go?!?

[Miranda 18]

Did a lot better this time around.....not where I wanted to be but a lot better! Can't wait to start finishing this apps now

[andedom]

LSAT went ok. Think I'm gonna start sending out apps. I'll update LSN

[timmna]

A little disappointed I didn't hit my PT average, but still ready to start applying. Wish everyone luck in their apps!

[rundoxierun]

In at Georgetown.. 3 down.. 9 or 10 more to go

[supersar]

In at Georgetown too!

[rundoxierun]

In at Georgetown too!

You considering attending??

[casterfield]

Hi all. New to the board, but I just got a 171 on the LSAT (retake).

Best of luck to everyone else applying. Gotta write my Personal statement now!

[Fresh]

Apps into: Mich NYU Penn Virginia GW Georgetown Duke Chicago Columbia Harvard Berkeley
Still need to send: Stanford, Florida?

[Sinra]

....

[Miranda 18]

I think I'll stick around here for a while now that the LSAT is over. I'm at 3.72/167 (retake). I'm hoping that my softs will get me into NYU ED, though I doubt it. Other reaches: Berkeley, Cornell, UCLA. I would be very happy at Fordham. I'm other Hispanic, not white, but not the typically boosted URM per TLS wisdom.

I want to see if my cycle will give me a more definitive answer as to what boost, if any, other Hispanics get. It's strange, after lots and lots of research on here...I still have no definitive answer though the closest solid answers have come from vanwinkle's great explanations on this. It should be interesting.

In my opinion I don't think you need to ED to NYU. I think you could get in there RD but if you are dedicated to going and you wouldn't mind paying sticker I really think EDing would almost make you a guarantee.

[LuBru]

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[Knock]

Hi all, I am new to TLS. I'm having trouble figuring out if this thread is really still active, since it seems to be spanning a couple app cycles, but any help or advice would be amazing.

I am a URM (White/AA) woman. I graduated 5 years ago from a top 10 Liberal Arts College with a 3.63GPA. Great softs - arts background, national leadership programs, excellent LOR's etc. Took the October LSAT. Was PTing in the mid to high 160's and into 170 - but bombed (despite feeling great during the test... grrr... ) and got a 160. Lower than my cold diagnostic!

I am west coast and had been planning to apply immediately to Boalt, UCLA & UT knowing they would be longish shots but thinking that the URM status would boost my GPA and thinking I would AT LEAST hit a 164. Now I am totally stuck. I am not sure where to apply and am not sure if I can go back into testing mode for a December retake. Besides, I feel like the Dec LSAT is too late for many schools, right? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I'd retake. Sounds like you just had an abnormally bad day. A small test day drop is expected, but testing below your cold diagnostic is not. I think if you can get a 165+ it would really give you some great opportunities. With a 160 though, and URM status, you will definitely see some good acceptances. But I think it would be worth it to retake in December.

[LuBru]

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[EbonyEsq]

Thanks. I'm realizing that's probably what I need to do, I just wish I didn't have to!

Do you think I should just apply to my safety schools right now? What are my chances of getting into a T20ish with a Dec LSAT? Is there any point in submitting my apps now but asking them to wait until they get my Dec score? Will I get any brownie points for submitting my app early?

Is it possible to push back law school attendance until 2012? I ask because applying early (September/October months) almost always maximizes your chances of admittance to a T14 WITH scholarship money.

If you're in a position to do so, I'd advise you resit and apply early next year.

[LuBru]

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[Fresh]

Is it possible to push back law school attendance until 2012? I ask because applying early (September/October months) almost always maximizes your chances of admittance to a T14 WITH scholarship money.

If you're in a position to do so, I'd advise you resit and apply early next year.

Thanks for jumping in. I'd rather not wait. I have been out of undergrad for 5 years already and now is the time. I am not so obsessed with attending a T14 that I would wait just because I didn't get in. Mostly, I want to achieve a good balance of future job prospects and financial aid.

I think I'll apply to a couple local safeties and then retake and hit the higher west coast schools once my December scores are in. Boalt is pretty much out because of the timing, but I think I'd still have a shot at UCLA and UT and would probably add Loyola and USC into the mix.

This is a separate question, but I have heard some conflicting responses so I'm hoping you can weigh in. If you self identify as a URM in your application form is that enough for schools to consider your application through that lens? Do I have to mention my URM status in my PS or a DS?

Retake in December with the knowledge that you WILL get into law school even if you get a worse score than your first score. You'll do fine and get into UCLA, UT, and USC even though you're applying a bit later than you wanted to. Don't be surprised when you get a 170+ and a lot of $$.

About the PS/DS - it's really up to you. You absolutely do not have to talk about being a minority if you're a minority. When you check that box, believe me they KNOW that you're an URM, no matter what your essays talk about. If your race isn't something that has impacted you enough to warrant putting it in essay form in your application, then I'd say leave it out. But sometimes it is helpful for law schools to have supplemental diversity statements to learn how an applicants ethnicity has affected them intellectually, socially, etc. etc.

[LuBru]

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[Fresh]

Retake in December with the knowledge that you WILL get into law school even if you get a worse score than your first score. You'll do fine and get into UCLA, UT, and USC even though you're applying a bit later than you wanted to. Don't be surprised when you get a 170+ and a lot of $$.

Thanks Fresh. So is there any advantage to submitting apps right now and asking them to wait for my Dec score, or is it the same thing as applying in mid December?

Same as applying Mid-Dec.

[DorianGray89]

Just sent in my first two apps today. Took the Oct. LSAT and can't wait to hear back from schools, although I know it won't be for a while. Planning on having all my apps in by next monday.

[cowgirl_bebop]

I sent 9 apps in and have 5 more to go (just added USF today). However, I requested that they all be placed on hold while I retake this 167 from October and try to shoot for a 170+. As an extreme splitter (2.44/167/17x?) URM, only Zeus knows how my cycle is going to go. But Im hoping that my good LSAT and my strong PS help give me a great bump at the schools of my choice.

[EbonyEsq]

Is it possible to push back law school attendance until 2012? I ask because applying early (September/October months) almost always maximizes your chances of admittance to a T14 WITH scholarship money.

If you're in a position to do so, I'd advise you resit and apply early next year.

Thanks for jumping in. I'd rather not wait. I have been out of undergrad for 5 years already and now is the time. I am not so obsessed with attending a T14 that I would wait just because I didn't get in. Mostly, I want to achieve a good balance of future job prospects and financial aid.

I think I'll apply to a couple local safeties and then retake and hit the higher west coast schools once my December scores are in. Boalt is pretty much out because of the timing, but I think I'd still have a shot at UCLA and UT and would probably add Loyola and USC into the mix.

This is a separate question, but I have heard some conflicting responses so I'm hoping you can weigh in. If you self identify as a URM in your application form is that enough for schools to consider your application through that lens? Do I have to mention my URM status in my PS or a DS?

I hear you on being out of undegrad for 5 years and wanting to get your apps out after waiting for so long. I'll be in your same position come next year when I intend on applying and I cannot wait to start myself.


That said, I still think you have a decent shot at some T14s. I would still shoot an app to UMichigan, UVA, NYU, Columbia, Northwestern (they love work experience--assuming, of course, you've been working those 5 years), Cornell, Georgetown and Duke, to name a few. You still have some strong numbers that may get you some money with an acceptance from a T14. In fact, I think you have a very strong shot at Cornell and Duke. Even Georgetown. Just get those applications out ASAP.